HBA-EDN H.B. 3578 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3578 By: Villarreal, Mike Economic Development 7/18/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE With continuing evidence that quality child care programs lead to academic success, reduced delinquency and crime, better job opportunities, and increased productivity, the importance of providing these services increases. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is responsible for allocating funds for child-care subsidies. According to federal law, at least 4% of the funds that the state receives through the child care and development block grant must be used to enhance child-care quality. House Bill 3578 requires TWC to ensure that, to the extent federal child care development funds dedicated to quality improvement activities are used to improve quality and availability of child care, those funds are used only for quality child care programs. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 3578 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Workforce Commission to ensure that, to the extent federal child care development funds dedicated to quality improvement activities are used to improve quality and availability of child care, those funds are used only for quality child care programs. The bill establishes the components of a quality child care program. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.